On October 28th, on the sidelines of the Luanda Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development, the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), AUDA-NEPAD, and Development Reimagined brought together African leaders, global investors, and development partners for a riveting panel discussion titled “Bridging Borders and Prosperity: Unlocking Finance for Africa’s Cross Border Infrastructure”.
Moderated by Mr. Rugare Mukanganga, Economic Advisor at Development Reimagined, the speakers included Mr. Babajide Sodipo, Ag. Executive Secretary at the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), Mr. Olivier Pognon, CEO and Director at the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), Mr. Abdelkrim Achir, Deputy Director of the Treasury and External Finance at Morocco’s Ministry of the Economy and Finance, and Ms. Wu Yunong, Climate Specialist at Development Reimagined (DR).
The discussion was structured around three overarching questions put to all panellists, with guiding sub-themes to deepen insights on risk, collaboration, and forward momentum:
1.Unpacking risk assessments in cross-border infrastructure
Mr. Olivier Pognon stressed early stakeholder engagement from project inception to embed holistic risk management, treating single-country and cross-border risks as interconnected to avoid expensive late-stage revisions. Mr. Babajide Sodipo linked effective risk assessment directly to AAMFIs’ core mandate of translating government development visions into fundable infrastructure, noting that rigorous evaluation is synonymous with mandate fulfillment.
Drawing on Africa-China energy collaborations, Ms. Yunong Wu underscored alignment with national political priorities as a pivotal risk factor, with Chinese enterprises weighing not only financial returns but also strategic contributions to energy access, job creation, and industrial linkages.
2. Risk pooling mechanisms and differences in risk profiles
The discussion shifted to how varying credit profiles can be leveraged for pooled funding. Mr. Abdelkrim Achir advocated for countries with more favourable credit ratings to lead regional cross-border infrastructure funding mobilisation efforts, while also ensuring that there are transparent discussions on risks and responsibilities between partnering countries from the outset.
3. The future of PIDA in the face of global uncertainties and international financial system “pushback”.
Addressing headwinds like challenges to preferred creditor status and the persistent “Africa risk premium,” the panel remained optimistic. Mr. Babajide Sodipo highlighted unwavering African government backing for AMFIs as a counterbalance to international pushback, sustaining momentum in infrastructure finance mobilisation.
Mr. Abdelkrim Achir reinforced the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline as evidence of feasible pan-African collaboration and urged enhanced capacity-building in finance ministries and debt offices. In addition, Mr. Olivier Pognon cautioned that early project structuring support is non-negotiable to ensure strong project outcomes.
Ms. Wu Yunong called for Africa to seize narrative control by articulating clear and unified priorities, standards, and partnership principles, transitioning from reactive engagement to strategic leadership and selecting aligned partners, including from China, who commit to long-term sustainable and equitable growth.
The event highlighted that the future of Africa’s cross-border infrastructure depends on integrated risk strategies, equitable risk-pooling, and assertive self-determination. By investing in capacity-building, embedding early advisory support, and aligning cross-border infrastructure projects with broader developmental priorities, the continent can dismantle financing barriers and fully realise PIDA’s transformative potential.
Date published: November 18,2025.
